Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando inspected Bulo Dam, a small reservoir for irrigation located in the boundaries of Barangays Kalawakan and Malibay in the towns of Dona Remedios Trinidad (DRT), and San Miguel in the province of Bulacan on Tuesday, March 7, after receiving reports that it has sustained minor damages.
Fernando was accompanied by retired Col. Manuel Lukban Jr., newly designated Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) department head; Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) head Gloria SF. Carillo; Provincial Engineering Office head, Glenn Reyes; Provincial Public Affairs Office head Katrina Anne B. Balingit; Bulacan PNP headed by Col. Relly B. Arnedo, Bulacan police director, and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) officers and engineers during the inspection.
The inspection was made after the office of the PAO received a letter from an anonymous sender stating that due to Typhoon Karding last year, Sept. 24, 2022, Bulo Dam's channels sustained cracks and damages.
During the inspection, Fernando suggested some steps to strengthen the foundation of Bulo Dam.
In a press conference held after the inspection, NIA engineers assured that Bulo Dam is still safe to operate despite the minor damages.
It will be recalled that Bulo Dam's old structure was originally constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways in 1991 as a flood-control project for the downstream Bulo River of San Miguel town.
However, it was destroyed by heavy rains spawned by Typhoon Pedring in September 2011. Floodwaters caused the dam to break, and again after 12 years, Typhoon Karding threatened the dam.
Manila Bulletin learned from NIA officials that after 11 years, Bulo Dam was reconstructed at the cost of P990.37 million.
The project began on July 22, 2014, but according to NIA officials, the actual construction started in March 2018 and was finally completed in March 2022. It was inaugurated on May 20, 2022.
Bulo Dam provides irrigation service to 570 hectares of agricultural lands in DRT and San Miguel towns.
At least 500 farmers benefit from the dam that provides irrigation water to 35 hectares of rice land in Barangay Kalawakan and 535 hectares in Barangay Malibay.
According to NIA, Bulo Dam also reduces flood waters from major parts of San Miguel town and its adjacent municipalities.